Happy Halloween!!

Wishing you a SPOOK - TAC - U - LAR Halloween!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches - Bibbity, Bobbity BOO!

Changes, Round Robin, Surprises and "Don't Forget"

I haven't been blogging much the past few weeks - a lot going on here - many emotional days.  My dear step-father moved from this area to live with one of his sons and daughter-in-law.  I know it's for the best, but I feel like my heart has been ripped out.

Tuesday morning was particularly bad.  We went to morning mass, as usual.  Many people came to bid him farewell, it was so touching.  Try as I might, I couldn't control myself.  I had to leave before mass got started.  By the time I got to the car, I had the "hiccup cries" so badly, I didn't think I'd ever stop.  Once I finally calmed down, I went back in to a meeting room and served coffee to his friends.  He is a true gentleman with a kind heart.  He will be sorely missed.

With all the happenings,  I haven't posted the October Round Robin swap pictures.  Here is what I received from the lovely June at Butterfly Wings.  I borrowed these from June's blog.  June - THANK YOU!  Lots of little yummy threads and embellishments, beautiful blue heart (my favorite color). I love it all - and the butterfly will remind me of you.

Here's what I stitched for June:

Some material - complete with butterflies - and coordinating threads:

A kit ready to be stitched:

I know how much June loves her garden.  I found these free, printable papers and gift tags from Lilac and Lavender - and the just shouted, "PRINT ME FOR JUNE!"

I received an unexpected surprise in the mail last week -

A sweet "Thank You" note from Renee at Monkey and Mutt for hosting the Halloween Exchange.  I was completely and utterly floored with her kindness.  Thank you, Renee!  (Please pop over to her blog - she is one talented young lady!!).

My dear SIL in Hawaii sent me more lovelies to stitch.  She really knows my heart:

 Pumpkin Harvest Necessaire from Praiseworthy Stitches (above). 

More samplers from Victoria Sampler.  THANK YOU, VAL!!

DON'T FORGET!!

Limoges Box Giveaway

Celebrating Milestone of over 200 followers

Name will be drawn November 1st

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Pay it Forward and 200 Follower Celebration

Greetings, Stitching Sisters!  Random number generator selected

Thoeria and Lynda Ruth

A huge THANK YOU to all who wanted to join in.  I'll be in touch, ladies!!

Celebration Time!

With the flurry of activity here (baby, volunteering, stitching, housework, stitching, laundry, stitching) it completely blew by me I had reached over 200 followers!  EEEK!!!  So to celebrate this milestone, I'm having another giveaway - it's a teeny-tiny Limoges box I painted (1.5 x .75 inches).  24 KT gold scrolling is on the inside lid and inside bottom - I'll paint the initial of the winner inside.  The roses and rose buds are surrounded by 24 KT gold and burnished so it looks like cording.  

If you'd like to be included in my 200 Follower Celebration

• Leave a comment on this post.  Please make sure I can reach you (i.e., "no-reply bloggers" will not be eligible).  
• If you send a new follower my way, you will get TWO additional chances.
• Drawing will be November 1st.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Good News!! - No - GREAT News!!!

My beautiful daughter and son-in-law had their first baby Monday, October 13, 2014.

Ronin came into this world a healthy 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 19.5 inches long. I've only seen him via pictures and FaceTime, but plan to fly to their home to visit for a few days next month.

I can hardly wait!!!

Remember - Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Tudor Tuesday, Pay it Forward, Linky Party

Working on two different needlepoint canvases as part of the FB Tudor Tuesday group.  Here's the latest on Catherine Parr I started several weeks ago - working on the background:

Here's the second canvas - also of Catherine Parr.  It's 13 ct by Labors of Love Needlepoint.  It's really outside my comfort zone, using only one strand of silk for her face (tent stitch) - it allows the painted canvas to show her features.  Her hair is done using a packed outline stitch.  I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I do.  Her lips are a metallic thread from Kreinik.

Don't forget ~
to sign up if you'd like to be part of Pay it Forward (see earlier post).  I'll be choosing names Sunday, October 19th.

Today is the Linky Party for everyone to show off their Halloween Ornament Exchanges.  I've partied with NINE participants so far - and what glorious goodies from Gorgeous Ghoulfriends!! Take a peek - the links are on my "2014 Halloween Exchange - Linky Party"page.

I've more exciting news to share, but that will have to wait until next time.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Halloween Exchange - Warning! LOTS of Pictures

I received my Halloween Ornament Exchange package from the lovely Anna. Anna doesn't have a blog, so I will show you what she sent me and what I sent her.

A little story about the FIRST ANNUAL Halloween Exchange.  Many exchanges require stitchers to have a blog.  Anna and I have "known" each other through my blog for over a year.  She was so disappointed she couldn't participate in an exchange.  I offered to exchange with her…..and the idea came to me - why not invite EVERYONE?  As Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know the REST of the story."

Anna sent me such LOVELY things!!  Anna - thank you, THANK YOU - I am completely and utterly blown away with the care and effort you put into my package.

 First, the goodies came wrapped in this delightful black netting, adorned with metallic silver and gold spiders and cobwebs. I literally gasped when I pulled this out of the box.

 Here is the card Anna made for me - it's cloth…..Anna - I've GOT to find out how you did this!  Here's the front:

 Here's the postage "stamp":

 Here's the note from Anna on the back (I covered our addresses).  It's decorated with a sparkly cat in the lower right hand corner and a shiny bat in the center.  She made me a gift tag and sent some spooky spiders.

 Here are some balloons and fall leaves:

 OOPS - I should have put these first:  Here are the gifts wrapped up - isn't the packaging creative?

 A collapsable shopping bag:

 A WONDERFUL ornament with cats on the tips of the ribbon and a black rose in the center of the bow (Hard to see black on black):

 And here's the fabric gift tag attached to the back - again - Anna - how did you do this?!

 She included a cat key ring - the eyes light up and it meows when you press a button on the back (what a hoot!  I love it!).

 A pin I can wear to celebrate Halloween:

The cutest pair of cat scissors with two scissor fobs (I LOVE scissor fobs - it's like jewelry for scissors;0).

If you look closely, the black and white ones have little skulls  - the one at the top has a pumpkin charm on the end and my name is spelled out in beads.

And if all this isn't something - a HUGE bag FULL OF CHOCOLATES!!!!

I am over the moon with all the goodies.  Again, thank you SO VERY MUCH, Anna!!

Here's what I sent to Anna - it pales in comparison:

Halloween ornament from "Just Cross Stitch" Halloween Ornament Magazine:

A "Magic Potion" rug mug:

I used a tea cup block pattern from The Sewing Chick.

Here's a biscornu (freebie) from Kincavel Krosses:

I also sent a Victoria scissor fob, some socks that look like pumpkins, and a Halloween cross stitch pattern (I forgot to get pictures of these).

Remember - there's a Linky Party October 18th (See the link at the top of main page) for the links so everyone can see what every Gorgeous Ghoul received.

I'm going to have some chocolates!!!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Paying it Forward

Weeks ago,  Cheryll from Gone Stitchin'  had a drawing for those who wanted to participate in a "Pay It Forward" event.  I was one of the lucky winners and just received her BEAUTIFUL creations made just for me.  Cheryll, thank you so very much!  My favorite colors - I can hardly wait to use the little bag for my stitching.

Now it's my turn to Pay it Forward.  Here's all you need to do:

• Make a comment on this post you'd like to participate
• I will choose two names October 19th
• Then I'll be in touch to find out your favorite colors, etc., etc., so I can make the PIF really, really special.
• Sometime within the next 6-9 months, you will receive your PIFs.

There's only one thing I will ask of the Stitching Sisters whose names I draw - you must be willing to Pay It Forward to two or three fellow stitchers after you receive your PIFs.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

500 Follower Blog Hop - Stitching with Summer

I'm participating in Jo's 500 Followers Blog Hop.  Take a peek at her blog, Serendipitous Stitching.
As part of the blog hop, I was to feature another Stitching Sister's blog.  I'm featuring Rachael from Stitching with Summer.

Rachel is a relatively new blogger and doesn't have a lot of followers - it's a sweet blog - pop over and see what she ha to share.

One of the blog hop's ideas was for me to choose a piece I've stitched that our featured person would like.  I've chosen this piece I designed and stitched. It's apparent to me Rachel loves to share her stitching with family and friends - this reminded me of her.

I hope you HOP to other blogs who are participating in Jo's 500 Follower Blog Hop. 

CONGRATULATIONS to Jo for reaching 500 followers and sharing this milestone with us all.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

The Traveling Treasure Chest goes to…..

Teresa S from At Willow Tree Pond.  I've sent a note to Teresa - the Traveling Treasure Chest will embark to its first destination today.  I can hardly wait to see what Teresa chooses!

Shiver me Timbers!  Yo! Ho! Ho!

Fifteen Lady Pirates are partaking of this marvelous journey.  A huge THANK YOU to all for your participation.

Until the next post - Keep yourself surrounded by stitches.

Last Chance to Sign Up for the Traveling Treasure Chest

Today is your last chance to sign up for the Traveling Treasure Chest.  There are twelve Pirates (so far) who have indicated they want to see what's in the box/envelope and pass it along to another.  If you want to join the fun, just comment on this post.

The Treasure Chest will start its journey Monday!!  First name will be selected 05OCT.

Want to know what your pirate name is?  Go to this link.
My pirate name is:Sally "Big And Brazen" Clegg"The Spirit of Seastar Estuary!"This pirate be having a spiritual vision. Or should that be a spirit-fuelled vision?

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Friends Swapaway Winner

Kaye and I got together on a chat on FB this afternoon (morning her time ;0).  Using a random number generator the name of the recipient of our Swapaway was drawn - it was

Butterfly

We've sent a note to Butterfly (aka June) to let her know.  

Thank you to all who indicated an interest in this idea we hatched.  It's continues to be loads of fun.  

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~